Tuesday, July 2, 2013

New article in American Towns.....

United in Praise is a multi-denominational community choir based in Eustis, Florida. The 90-voice choir, which is comprised of members from over 38 area churches from a 5 county area, is approaching their 21st season of praise and worship performances for the community.

The Eustis Middle School Mustang Band has been granted by United In Praise this 2013-2014 school year. United in Praise is a community choir with a passion to share God's love through praise & worship performances. United in Praise has typically supported 2-3 charities each year. For more information on United In Praise please go to their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/unitedinpraise or website http://unitedinpraise.com/

This month The Charity Selection Committee invited local charities to make an oral presentation to the board of directors. Following these presentations, the committee finalizes its evaluations and selects the charities that United in Praise will support during the concert season. There were many local charities represented. There is a large need for help in our city, county and state. The Eustis Mustang Band presented statistical facts that prove reaching young children with a long term music program will strengthen our communities future.

This music group is made of 150 students, all excellent role models who mostly continue their music education at the Eustis High School. Both programs are extremely strict with high personal life teaching lessons and large rewards.

This year The Eustis Mustang Band was inspired to create a community outreach program. The Mustang Caring for School and Community (MCSC) was created in order to bring the city closer to our program and to inspire and aid more children who can not afford to purchase a new instrument to become musicians. The main goal is to raise test scores and therefore higher education degree holders in Lake County.

This band of 12-15 year olds are unique in they have an award winning Jazz Group and Steel Drum Ensemble. The uniqueness of the program is the ability to reach students that are not normally affected by conventional learning methods. Research proves that students in a program like the one at Eustis Middle School has the potential to raise attendance rates by 70 percent and other cities and states have raised their graduation rates up to 94 percent after adding a long term music program to their schools.